Former Tennessee coaches figure prominently in SEC East

It's been a whirlwind past month for Jeremy Pruitt, who was named Tennessee's coach on Dec. 7. He juggled that job and his role as Alabama's defensive coordinator until the Crimson Tide won the national championship.
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As Tennessee attempts to move up from the bottom of the SEC East, it will have to overcome numerous ex-Vols along the way. The division is loaded with former UT coaches.

Georgia is the best example of that. The Bulldogs just played for the national championship – thanks, in part, to an offensive staff that includes three former UT assistant coaches.

Jim Chaney is the headliner. His creative offensive game plan had Alabama on the ropes early in the game.

He has long been regarded as a good offensive strategist from his work at various coaching stops, including one at UT, where he was an offensive coordinator under both Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley. But Chaney's reputation has never been more glowing than now.

Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt yells onto the field during a game between Tennessee and ETSU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 8, 2018. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt watches as players run through a drill during Tennessee football practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers with wife Casey and sons Ridge, Jayse, and Flynt before the 2018 Orange and White Game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on April 21, 2018. Kyle Zedaker/Tennessee Athletics | USA TODAY Handout

Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt walks on the field during the first Vol football practice of the spring season at University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt introduces the football staff and the year's new signees during a Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. Saul Young/News Sentinel

Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt speaks to reporters during media day for the national championship game on Saturday in Atlanta. Pruitt was hired as Tennessee's coach on Dec. 7 but is finishing his duties with Alabama. Blake Toppmeyer/News Sentinel

University of Tennessee Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer, left, introduces Jeremy Pruitt during his introduction ceremony as Tennessee's next head football coach at the Neyland Stadium Peyton Manning Locker Room in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, December 7, 2017. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Former UT assistant coaches Sam Pittman and Shane Beamer Jr. also were prominent in Georgia’s success.

Georgia’s offensive line was regarded as its weakest link entering the 2017 season. But it far exceeded expectations under Pittman’s direction. In fact, offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn became one of the league’s best blockers.

Eddie Gran, who was on Kiffin’s staff at Tennessee, has three different job titles: assistant head coach for offense, offensive coordinator and running backs coach.

Gran is also an exceptional recruiter with longstanding ties to Florida.

Darin Hinshaw, who was an assistant coach under Dooley, is the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Kentucky. Since the Wildcats will be losing quarterback Stephen Johnson, Hinshaw will have the responsibility of developing a new starter. That could be junior college transfer Terry Wilson, a dual-threat quarterback like Johnson.

New Florida coach Dan Mullen has added a former Vol to his staff. Sal Sunseri, who failed miserably as UT’s defensive coordinator in his one-and-done 2012 season, has fared better elsewhere. He coordinated Florida State’s defense in 2014 and coached linebackers with the Oakland Raiders the past three seasons.

Charlton Warren, who coached UT’s secondary this past season, was another addition to Mullen’s staff. As Florida’s cornerbacks coach, Warren will be dealing with significantly more talent in 2018 than he had at UT this past season.

South Carolina also has two former Tennessee assistants on its staff. Lance Thompson is the assistant head coach and coaches the defensive line. Pat Washington, who coached at UT from 1995 through 2005, coaches the Gamecocks’ tight ends.

Dooley is the latest ex-Vol to join another SEC program. UT’s head coach from 2010-2012 is Missouri’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

A former wide receivers coach with the Dallas Cowboys, Dooley has never been an offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach. However, he picked a good place to expand his resume.

Missouri’s Drew Lock, who decided to return for his senior season, made first-team All-SEC after leading the conference in passing. And the Tigers will return eight other starters from a unit that led the league in points and yards per game.

Vanderbilt is the only team in the division that doesn’t have an ex-UT coach on its staff. But based on how the series has gone, the Commodores don’t need any help from their in-state rival.

They have won four of their last six games against Tennessee.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.